Chapter 1, 'Take It Easy, Mr Bond' Summary

James Bond, agent 007 with Her Majesty's Secret Service, is sent to a health clinic to recover from over-drinking and over-smoking. During his stay, he tangles with a criminal who, unbeknownst to Bond, is involved in an international blackmail scheme. Soon, Bond is whisked off to the Bahamas in search of SPECTRE, a criminal organization threatening to explode stolen nuclear bombs. Bond finally foils these modern-day pirates in a spectacular underwater battle.

As the novel begins, Bond wakes up with a nasty hangover after a night of losing at bridge, because he was too drunk to play well. He feels awful, and he does not have much to look forward to except more paperwork. Then his telephone rings, a call from Headquarters.

Bond rushes to headquarters to meet with his superior, M, but the urgent call is not...